Speedometer/gauge problem.

[slayer10]

Hello,

I have a 98 Ford explorer 4x4, 4 L engine, 6 cyl. SOHC

My Speedometer works then will decided to crap out and just stop working when it feels the need to stop. I went to take in my car to see what a professional thought and he told me my circuit board is shot. He wanted to charge me an arm and a leg to have this done. Im planning on going to a mechianic school so i figure why pay him to have this done when its a great learning chance. I know its going to be somewhat of a pain to do but i want to do this myself only problem is how? Im sure lots of people have done this so any ideas/tips to share? Im thinking of just replacing the whole dash instrument gages system and go from there. Ill beable to save half the cost of what he wants and get the experience too.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 95-01 section. Do you have any issues with your cruise control, transmission or ABS system? Did you see if there are any codes stored?

 

[slayer10]

No lights pop on for check engine or abs. No codes were stored in my car. He said bad circuit board

 

[Dan Whitaker]

The same thing happened to me. Just buy a used instrument cluster. It will be much cheaper and way easier. That's what I did.

 

[slayer10]

Thanks dan, I had contacted a used part distrupter that will send a notice to every auto wrecking place of what i was looking for and i told them a dash board found one for 100! Dang if thats the right part then heck i made half of the part he wanted and then cost of putting in such a thing.

Now the only little concern i have is what about the mileage being set? I know changing your mileage is illegal. Im an honest person i would put it exactly at the milage my car is now when i would put it in.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

You can also buy a rebuilt speedometer cluster from Ford and they will set the mileage but they run around $300.

I don't know if the shop you took it to would do it or what they would charge.

 

[Turdle]

Thanks dan, I had contacted a used part distrupter that will send a notice to every auto wrecking place of what i was looking for and i told them a dash board found one for 100! Dang if thats the right part then heck i made half of the part he wanted and then cost of putting in such a thing.

Now the only little concern i have is what about the mileage being set? I know changing your mileage is illegal. Im an honest person i would put it exactly at the milage my car is now when i would put it in.

Check ebay
you should be able to find one for your year, within 10 percent of your mileage which I would think is fine. You are not attempting to alter the mileage, you are attempting to make your truck safer--right? Just make a note of this, take pictures of both clusters, and keep all this with the vehicles paperwork. This way you cannot be accused of hiding anything.

 

[slayer10]

Very true. I am sure ill be keeping this vechile for a very long time but when i get it ill take pictures of current one and replacement and add to my automotive paperwork stash. Now whats an avg. time to ripp out the dash board? Of course everytime i start something theres always a hidden curve ball to slow me down.

 

[RickOTR]

You can also just buy the Printed circuit board from Ford for around $70.00.